There’s nothing more annoying than having your bra straps slipping off our shoulders all day. It’s like having an itch that keeps coming back or wearing pants that are too big, but alas, you have no belt. At first, it’s just a little annoying. But after hours of repeatedly scratching your arm or pulling your pants back up, you’re ready to go crazy. Having your straps constantly slipping off your shoulders means instead of having the trustworthy and comfortable support you expect when you wear a bra, you have the opposite. It’s just another nuisance that takes away from your day and makes you feel less secure.
I’ve been there – And that’s why I can help. Read on to learn more about why your straps are slipping and what you can do about it.
Why Bra Straps Slip
So, why are your bra straps slipping, anyway? There are a few usual suspects.
Your straps are too loose
Your straps can be loose for many reasons. The most obvious fix is to tighten your straps and see if that solves the problem. But, if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’ve tried that already to no avail.
You should never tighten your straps to the point that they’re binding or leaving marks on your shoulders. Always remember: your straps are only supposed to provide a maximum of 10% of support to your breasts.
The majority of the support should be coming from your band. If your straps have to be tightened to the point that they’re uncomfortable and doing too much of the work, this indicates that you probably have a band size problem, not a strap setting problem.
Your straps should never be on the tightest setting – especially if you’re buying a new bra. Most straps contain elastic, which breaks down over time. There should be room for you to tighten your straps as your bra gets older.
Your band is too large
If your band is too large, you’ll notice a few things happen. In the morning when you put on your bra, it may look and feel fine. But as the day goes on, your bra band will begin riding up in the back, your cups will start sagging, and your straps will start slipping. This means you need to either put your bra band on a tighter setting so it stays snug and in place around your underbust, or you need a bra with a smaller band size.
NOTE: If you go down a band size, you need to go up a cup size to maintain the same cup volume. Refer to the Sister Sizing page to learn more.
Your cups are too large
If you’re suffering from a case of slipping straps, you might have also noticed that your cups are gaping. If there’s space between your breast tissue and the tops of your bra’s cups, you may want to try a smaller cup size.
NOTE: If you go down a cup size, you may need to go up a band size. Refer to the Sister Sizing page to learn more.
How to Keep Your Bra Straps from Slipping
Consider the following solutions to solve this problem:
1. Tighten your straps. This is the most obvious solution, but sometimes it’s the most overlooked and the most effective. Keep adjusting them over time, as well, because straps tend to stretch out naturally over time.
2. Try a smaller band size. If your band rides up in the back, it can cause ride-up in the back, which also will cause your straps to become too loose and slip off your shoulders. Your band should be snug and stay in place.
3. Try a smaller cup size. If your cups are gaping toward the top, you may need a smaller cup size.
4. Check your bra size regularly. Because your bra size can change over the course of your life for many reasons (changes in weight, hormonal changes, pregnancy/nursing, menopause, etc.), I recommend that you remeasure yourself every 6-12 months.
5. Replace your bras regularly. All bras have expiration dates – and they may be sooner than you think. If your bra is over a year old, it may be worn and beyond repair and need to be replaced. Learn how to tell if it’s time to replace your bra in our blog post, How to Know When to Replace Your Bra.
6. Try a different style. If you’ve exhausted all the other solutions and you’re still having trouble with slipping straps, you may need a different bra style. If you’re petite or have a shorter torso, try a bra with straps that adjust from the back all the way to the front, like the Fruit Of The Loom Jacquard Lightly Padded Wirefree Bra. This gives you more room to tighten your straps. If you have narrow or sloping shoulders, try a bra with kicked-in straps like the Fantasie Rebecca Lace Underwire Spacer Full Cup Bra, center pull straps like the Wacoal Perfect Primer Full Figure Underwire Bra, a U-back like the Bali One Smooth U Ultralight Illusion Neckline Bra, or a racerback like the Maidenform One Fab Fit Extra Coverage Lace T-Back Bra. You can also add different accessories to your existing bra, like the Fashion Forms Strap Mate Bra Straps.
Watch my Expert Video: Why Are My Bra Straps Slipping?
Whatever your bra problems may be, the resources to help you find the solution are all available at HerRoom. Visit The Fitting Room™, where you can learn about everything from bra fitting and measurement to breast anatomy, lingerie care, and so much more.
Find a better fit,
Tomima